Boca Fiesta/The Palomino
Last inspected: Jan 30, 2026
58
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Boca Fiesta/The Palomino stretching back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Jan 30, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Boca Fiesta/The Palomino's latest score of 58 falls below the Gainesville average of 75. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
58
Sep 2, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 2, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
78
Dec 3, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
58
Jul 9, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 2, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Operator stated dish machine had not been used for a few hours but after running dishwasher machine twice and priming sanitizer line was still not dispensing properly. **Warning**
22-41-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. 2 pairs of tongs hanging on oven door handle on cooks line. Operator moved tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Back liquor room the shelving is wooden but not sealed.
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan guards in walk in cooler, operator cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Underneath back storage shelf by back door. Operator cleaned area. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Chest reach in freezer lid is not smooth easily cleanable. Food shelving in walk in cooler the paint is peeling and shelves starting to rust.
14-11-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Behind clean dish rack in back room.
36-24-5
64
Feb 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 3 flies flying around bar area.
35A-02-6
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Throughout kitchen the walls have dust starting to build up.
36-27-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On lids and plastic containers on clean dish rack.
16-46-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Inside chest reach in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Chest reach in freezer lid rusted. Cutting board on reach in cooler on cooks line the corner is melted/warped.
14-11-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Both coolers on cooks line.
29-49-6
67
Oct 5, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed "Y" connector at mop sink with missing vacuum breaker on the non-chemical side of the "Y" connector.
29-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed one container of cooked Chicken kept in the walk-in-cooler overnight at 46F.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed one container of cooked Chicken kept in the walk-in-cooler overnight at 46F.
01B-02-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gasket on reach in freezer in kitchen
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed coffee filters not covered or inverted. Manager discarded top filter and stored other filters in plastic. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed produce ( Lemons, lines, Tomato ) stored over ready-to-eat food ( Sauces, coleslaw,agave) in walk in cooler
08B-17-4
55
Nov 21, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ 1 manager expired 10/2022.
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee fill container holding sauce bottles with water at Handwash sink by dish machine. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. On air ducts on cooks line.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drink on prep table in the back warewashing area, operator moved beverage. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating/drinking in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee drinking water while on the cooks line.
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on cutting board of reach in cooler on cooks line. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Cutting boards with deep cut marks on them, cutting boards on clean dish rack outside of walk in cooler.
14-11-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Ice scoops in ice machine with the handle touching it, operator removed scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters on cooks line. Interior reach in cooler drawers holding steam tables, cooler not being used for refrigeration. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Main cooler on cooks line.
29-49-6
55
Jul 11, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine, 0 ppm. Manager stated they would sanitize dishes in bus tub of sanitized water. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink next to dish area being used as a dump sink.
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on shelf across from dish machine. Manager removed phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Tube above prep table across from oven. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Shelves in walk-in cooler.
14-17-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Boca Fiesta/The Palomino last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Boca Fiesta/The Palomino on file is from Jan 30, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Boca Fiesta/The Palomino?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Boca Fiesta/The Palomino.
How does Boca Fiesta/The Palomino compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
Boca Fiesta/The Palomino most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Gainesville average of 75.
Has Boca Fiesta/The Palomino's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Boca Fiesta/The Palomino have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Boca Fiesta/The Palomino means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Boca Fiesta/The Palomino inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Boca Fiesta/The Palomino is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants